Poll - Prenatal Vitamins
Find a Conversation
Poll - Prenatal Vitamins
| Wed, 10-08-2003 - 8:47am |
Hi Ladies! Just wondering how many of us are taking prenatal vitamins and how long have you been taking them? What kind are you taking?
My doctor advised me to take Folic Acid, which I have been doing for about 4 months.
Thanks.

I take Citracal Prenatal Rx... it's a prescription prenatal that has a stool softener in it. Hopefully, it will work it's magic!! LOL!
Here is info. from the March of Dimes site:
"Folic acid works, but it only works if taken before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the neural tube is developing into the brain and spinal cord. When the neural tube does not close properly, a baby is born with a very serious birth defect called a neural tube defect. About 2,500 children are born each year in the United States with a neural tube defect. If all women took adequate folic acid before conception and during pregnancy, the number of babies born with a neural tube defect could drop by as much as 70 percent."
"What you can do:
Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before pregnancy and during early pregnancy, as part of a healthy diet.
Eat a healthy diet that includes foods that contain folate, the natural form of the vitamin. Such foods include fortified breakfast cereals, beans, leafy green vegetables and orange juice.
If you have already had a pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord, take 4 milligrams (4,000 micrograms) of folic acid daily. You will need a prescription from your health care provider for this amount. Begin taking your prescription one month before you start trying to get pregnant and continue through the first three months of pregnancy. "
I hope this helps answer your questions. I think most prenatals have 800-1000 mcg of folic acid.
Beth
Edited 10/8/2003 10:19:36 PM ET by elvrp
Beth - mommy to Ayden 03/23/02, Owen 06/23/04, & Eliz
Good luck to everyone!
Proud Mommy to:
Skielynne--08-17-04
I am taking PreCare Prenatal Vitamins which were samples given to me by the doctor, but this is my question... is there a difference between over the counter prenatal vitamins and prescription prenatal vitamins (of course, one difference could be the insurance coverage for a prescription)? Is there a certain kind that is recommended as more effective? Just thought I would check.
Beth - mommy to Ayden 03/23/02, Owen 06/23/04, & Eliz